Newyddiadur Swyddogol Esgobaeth Caerdydd Issue 275 November 2019 Official Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Cardiff

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Our new saint is Vespers for the canonised by Feast of St Thomas Cantilupe Pages 4/5 Page 7 Archbishop rededicates Abercynon miracle shrine

Article and photographs by Dr James Campbell your forebears? It is a place of survived the fast flowing slurry nature, a place of beauty, a place coal dust polluted rivers with the Archbishop George, Father John of running waters. It was place of help of a miracle! and parishioners at the shrine of danger where two fast flowing Thoughts went back to the the Abercynon miracle rivers come together. It is a place shrine created by immigrant of faith also. But faith has to be Catholic miners as the kept alive. Human memory is a international Catholic magazine fickle thing – as we know all too The Tablet revealed in an article of well." 12 August 2006, written by Below the shrine the rivers Taff correspondent Richard Abbott. and Cynon raged with the great Richard revealed the sorry rainfall that had occurred over the of the Shrine and hoped it would weekend. But at least the rivers be restored. were clear since the coal mining His hopes were fulfilled on in the valley had long since gone. October 20, 2019! Yet thoughts went back to how that three-year-old boy had More on page 2

On Sunday (October 20) a shrine marking The area leading to the shrine was an the place where the Blessed Virgin Mary impenetrable mass of brambles, overgrown performed a miracle was rededicated by vegetation and Japanese knotweed. Father , . John’s vision was that the land could be In 1926, in this mining village a three-year- transformed into a place of beauty, an old boy Gerald O’Shea fell into the coal- impossible dream! blackened raging confluence of the Rivers Taff But with the help of a band of dedicated and Cynon. When he returned home he said parishioners who tirelessly worked to clear the he had been plucked out of the water by a steps to the shrine tp remove the accumulated Lady in Blue – the lady on his religious debris and silt built up over many years the medallion. shrine slowly came into view. To mark the miracle a shrine dedicated to The team worked on restoring the badly Our Lady of Lourdes was set up with striking damaged and crumbling Stations of the Cross miners cutting into the steep rocky cliff to set it that line the path leading down to the river and up. It became a place of pilgrimage that drew removing the overgrown Japanese knotweed. 10,000 pilgrims a year. Landscaping work revealed the true glory of the Shrine and transformed what was a Forgotten shrine derelict overgrown wilderness into an attractive peaceful place where people could But over time it became overgrown and the sit and pray in tranquil surroundings. path to the shrine crumbled and became Parishioners flocked to the site when unsafe. Archbishop George dedicated it and blessed It had been forgotten for decades but when the shrine. the Rev. John Phillips took over the church of St Thomas, above the shrine ,10 years ago he A place of faith investigated and a plan was developed to bring it back to its full religious glory and years He reflected: “Need I say more about the of work by volunteers set about the task. beautiful shrine which was created here by 2 CATHOLIC PEOPLE ARCHBISHOP Miracle shrine rededicated GEORGE’S As a memory of what Abercynon was at the mines in the valleys. Now, the image of Our ENGAGEMENTS time of the 1926 miracle, Archbishop Lady of Lourdes (below) looks serenely over George presented Father John with a crystal clear waters. NOVEMBER 2019 picture of the Abercynon Colliery (below). The restored shrine, the work of parishioners The the young boy fell into the conflux of the over the years, is a fitting memory of the Rivers Taff and Cynon the water would have Abercynon miracle. 1 All Saints Day Mass, St. David’s Cathedral Cardiff. 12.30 been filthy and black with the waste from the 2 All Souls Day Mass, St. David’s Cathedral Cardiff. 10am 12.00 6 KSG Mass, St. David’s Cathedral Cardiff. 6.30 7 “Memorial Tree” Event for St. David’s Hospice. 6.00 8 Centenary Dinner, Newport Catenians. 8.00 10 Mass for Remembrance Sunday, St. David’s Cathedral 11.00 12 Meeting with Menevia Clergy,Swansea. 4.00 13 Meeting with Menevia Clergy continued. 17 Mass and Blessing of St. David Lewis Shrine, Usk. 9.00 18 “The Who Speaks” Conference,Cornerstone. 7.00 19 Council of Priests “The God Who Speaks” 10.30 20 175 Anniversary HMPPS Usk 2.00 23 Preaches at Holy Trinity Church, Brook Green. 5.30 24 Bishops Conference Autumn Meeting, Leeds. 7.00 28 Bishops Conference Meeting concludes

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Editorial Dr James Campbell-Editor. Archbishop’s House, 43 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9HD Tel: (029) 2022 0411 Fax: (029) 2037 9036 Email: [email protected] and Articles to be received by the 20th of the month for inclusion in the following month Advertising Tel: 0151 709 7567 Designed & Produced Mersey Mirror, Suite 4, Pacific Chambers, 11-13 Victoria Street, Liverpool L2 5QQ. Tel: 0151 709 7567 Fax: 0151 707 1678 Email: [email protected] Submission of photographs Please note photographs submitted for publication must be in jpeg or pdf format. Those in Word format cannot be accepted

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Until we are able to build the faith among the All are welcome to the first of our new school children and get them into Sunday series Masses, to be a practising Catholic, I believe of free talks by one of our most popular our Catholic education is a total failure. May speakers God give all our Catholic School Management the wisdom to work together to pass on the Sunday November 10th 2019 at 2.45pm faith and build the Church, which should be Medieval Welsh Tombstones the priority of the Catholic education Dear Prof. Madeleine Gray Editor, please don’t take it personal. But it is an Professor Emerita of Ecclesiastical expression that we failed to take to the History concerned authorities University of South Wales As we celebrate Year of the Word, how Please note we have a new venue wonderful it will be, if the all the school Beaconsfield House The Cardiff University Catholic Chaplaincy children have an opportunity to read the whole 155a Commercial Street At the rear of Nazareth House, coming from Bible or even the New Testament during this Newport Road the City year... I wish and pray that all those children enter by the very last gate way in Colum Rd studying in the Catholic schools may deep Risca rooted their faith in and the Church. Gwent NP11 6EY for further information please contact: Tricia Coulthard: 02920 595 899 Thus the dying Church may flourish back. 01633 615005 [email protected] www.pts-funerals.co.uk In prayer J Mathew CATHOLIC PEOPLE 3 Lottery funds essential repairs to two of our churches Editorial

Parishioners of Merthyr Tydfil say a big thank you to CADW and all The project will be achieved with support lottery players for their contribution of £75,000 towards the from the History Department at USW and Miracle shrine emergency high-level roof repairs. This is the second phase of the Pontypridd Museum. Volunteers from across extensive repairs to St. Mary’s, Merthyr Tydfil. This magnificent the local community will help to deliver the We urge all Catholics in the Archdiocese church, overlooking the town of Merthyr, is known as the project. They will receive training for all these of Cardiff to visit the rededicated shrine Cathedral of the Valleys due to its design and beauty. activities enabling them to widen their As part of the restoration work an expert in historic buildings, Nigel knowledge of local history, develop new skills at Abercynon. Copsey, visited St Mary’s to demonstrate best practices using lime and enhance self-esteem. Visits to the church mortar on listed buildings. A number of local architects including, Chris by local schools and community groups will be The story is on page one and much credit Jones RIBA – Property Manager and Architect for the Archdiocese, encouraged through CADW Open Door events. goes to Father John Phillips who, when he attended. The Parish has received funding from CADW to the value of Father Allan, parish priest said:I am delighted took over St Thomas's, the church above £66,000. The parish is working very hard to raise the remaining that the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £230,000 needed to finish the repairs and hopes to set up a our Parish of St. Dyfrig’s Treforest a substantial the shrine 10 years ago, he had the vision fundraising account for donations. Anyone interested in giving towards grant of £68,100." of restoring the neglected and crumbling the fund please contact Barry English at Speaking on behalf of the Archdiocese, shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes. [email protected]. All donations are greatly appreciated. Development Manager, Owen Collins, said: And in Treforest the National Lottery funded essential repairs to St ‘Once again we see the fantastic work being Dyfrig's Church, a Byzantine construction which had suffered badly with undertaken in our parishes. I want to pay With the help of enthusiastic parishioner damp and a leaking roof. St Dyfrig’s was awarded £68,100 from the special tribute to all of those parishioners volunteers the restoration was achieved National Lottery Heritage Fund … working hard in Treforest and Merthyr Tydfil to and the shrine rededicated by Archbishop We have to remember, with faith, that these lovely churches were maintain these historic buildings.’ Owen George. built through the pennies donated by mainly Irish and Italian workers added: ‘It bears repeating that without the who moved to Wales in the heat of the industrial revolution in the 19th generous support of National Lottery players century[OC2] , sweating in the iron works and coal mines of the Welsh these essential repairs would almost certainly It is now a fitting tribute to the miracle valleys. have taken longer to complete. We are very which took place in 1926 when three- They have left us, their Catholic descendants, with our lovely places grateful for the support.’ year-old Gerald O'Shea was rescued from of worship. We than them all and pray for their souls[. This historic ' Mother' of St Dyfrig's, with its the raging torrent by a Lady in Blue. outstanding architecture is located at the centre of the South Wales Valley and stands in a prime location in Treforest, a landmark on Our retired priests entering the town from the south. The church on its current site was built in 1927 as the previous building became too small due to a growing population. Changes have been made to the building during You can see on this page an appeal to the last ninety years and the parish has also changed as it has contribute to the care of our retired welcomed people from other parts of the UK and across the World priests. including students from the University of South Wales (USW). Parishioners want to talk to a number of people about why they or their families came to Treforest and record their memories as oral In the evening of their lives they deserve history. Their recorded stories will be uploaded to the Peoples our financial support for all the great Collection Wales in the National Library. service they have given to us over the many decades of their priesthood.

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You can see the story on this page of the restoration work done on two of our churches, in Merthyr and Treforest.

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‘We have nothing but A demonstration of historic buildings restoration techniques at St Mary’s praise for Coles and the dignity and compassion they showed us and our loved ones.’ John, 74, Cyncoed Father, Grandfather

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by Dr. James Campbell, Belief, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, and representatives of the Anglican Church and Archbishop George gave this Newman’s Oxford colleges – reflects address on the BBC Daily service Newman’s roots. But we were celebrating the before the canonisation of the impact of this quintessential Englishman on the wider world – on the Anglican and then the Blessed Cardinal John Henry Catholic Churches, on thinking about faith; and Newman in St Peter’s Square on recognising the importance his writings still October 13.. The broadcast gave have for many individuals today. Newman’s wonderful and The Ambassador said the canonisation inspirational hymn” meant ia lot of work for her. But she reflected: “It was an opportunity to get to know the writings of . From my Praise to the Holiest in the Height, student days, I was familiar with his role in the And in the depths be praise. In all His words most wonderful, Oxford Movement, but now I have read much Most sure in all His ways. more about him, visited the three English Oratories, and been to Littlemore. I can see It was written by Cardinal John Henry Newman why he is such an influential figure. The way in 1865. It is part of the Newman’s epic poem he wrote about his own faith, and the “The Dream of Gerontius” which describes the seriousness with which he explored his faith, prayer of a dying man and the journey of his seem unique.” soul into the presence of God,the journey from From the alter at the front of St Peter’s Pope this life to the next.from this life to the next. In Francis read a quote from one of Newman’s 1900, Edward Elgar set this poem to music in sermons describing the holiness of daily life: a magnificent Oratorio. On the cover of the “The Christian has a deep, silent, hidden manuscript, Elgar quoted the poet John Ruskin peace, which the world sees not … The and wrote “This is the best of me”. Both the Christian is cheerful, easy, kind, gentle, hymn and the many writings of Newman will courteous, candid, unassuming; has no Pilgrims present relics of the new saints to Pope Francis. In front is a have a special resonance this coming pretence … with so little that is unusual or brother of the girl who was recognised as the second miracle attesting to weekend, when he will be proclaimed a saint striking in his bearing, that he may easily be Newman’s sainthood by Pope Francis at a ceremony of canonisation taken at first sight for an ordinary man.” in Rome on Sunday morning. I was lucky enough to be in Birmingham Green Willow Funerals when Pope Benedict XVI named Cardinal John Henry Newman “Blessed.” Personalised Funeral Services and Funeral Plans Our delegation from the Archdiocese of Cardiff were soaked due to the driving rain. But when the Pope’s helicopter appeared the rain miraculously stopped and the sun broke through the clouds. It was, to me, an omen that Newman would one day be canonised! And it was a special privilege to meet in Rome Oratorians from Cardiff, there to honour the Saint who founded their Congregation in England. It was apt that in the vigil at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome, the day before the canonisation, that the celebrant was His The Prince of Wales represented the UK at the Grace, Most. Rev. , the canonisation. Behind him are our Ambassador to . Our own the Holy See Sally Axworthy and The Prime All profits donated to charity archbishop was also present. Minister’s special repressive for faith Rheman Nearly two centuries ago, John Henry Christi. Caring, sensitive bespoke funeral services Newman was England’s most well-known Anglican priest, until he risked everything. Now Newman was a 19th-century theologian, he is a saint. poet, Catholic priest and cardinal. Born in Telephone 02920 52 42 00 As Pope Francis named Cardinal John Henry 1801, he was before his conversion a well- Newman a saint on October 13 2019, he told known and well-respected Oxford academic, Catholics that the goal of life is a transforming Anglican preacher, and public intellectual. encounter with Jesus. Newman’s 1845 conversion to the Catholic We welcome no-obligation enquiries “The ultimate goal is not health or wellness, faith was controversial in England, and resulted but the encounter with Jesus … He alone in the loss of many friends, including his own and cater for ‘pre-need’ funeral frees us from evil and heals our hearts. Only sister who never spoke to him again. plans which help: an encounter with him can save, can make life He became a priest in 1847 and founded full and beautiful,” Pope Francis said at the the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England. He Mass in St. Peter’s Square Oct. was particularly dedicated to education, 13. founding two schools for boys and the Catholic Limit costs Pope Francis officially recognized John University of Ireland. His “Idea is a University” Henry Newman, Mariam Thresia, Marguerite became a foundational text on Catholic higher Bays, Giuseppina Vannini, and Dulce Lopes as education. He was a prolific author and letter saints and created them saints on the same writer. Newman died in Birmingham in 1890 at Record your wishes day. 89. Our Amabssador to the Holy See Sally St. John Henry Newman is Britain’s first new Axworthy was at the canonisation and saint since the canonization of St. John Ogilvie commented on what it meant for the UK's in 1976. Relieve pressure on family relations with the Holy See? “Let us ask to be … ‘kindly lights’ amid the She said: “The canonisation has been a high encircling gloom. Jesus, ‘stay with me, and and loved ones point in the relationship between the UK and then I shall begin to shine as Thou shinest: so the Holy See. Saint John Henry is the first to shine as to be a light to others,’” Pope British saint canonised for over forty years, and Francis said in his Oct. 13 homily, quoting the first post-Reformation saint. The UK parts of Newman’s “Meditations on Christian delegation - led by HRH The Prince of Wales, Doctrine.” www.greenwillowfunerals.com and including two Cabinet Ministers, the Along with Newman, Pope Francis Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or canonized four women. CATHOLIC PEOPLE 5 ed by Pope Francis

Pictured outside St Peter's Basilica in Rome are three Oratorians from Cardiff Fr Alexander, Bro Ambrose, Bro Illtyd. with Rehnab Chisti, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy, Sally Axworthy, our Ambassador to the Holy See, Archbishop George and one of our seminarians in Rome Elliot Hanson. Mother Mariam Thresia (1876-1926) life of the spirit against the forces that of faith to a sceptical, secular age? His said. “The community at St Alban’s was an Indian mystic and founder of the would debase human dignity and engagement first with Anglican theology, Splott was delighted to learn of the Congregation of the Holy Family. The human destiny. In the age in which he and then, after his conversion, Catholic Archbishop’s decision to dedicate a side Syro-Malabar Catholic foundress attains sainthood, his example is needed theology, impressed even his opponents chapel in the Cathedral to St John Henry received the and would more than ever – for the manner in with its fearless honesty, its unsparing Newman. The witness of our newest sometimes levitate during prayer. which, at his best, he could advocate rigor and its originality of thought. saint is so timely not only as an Giuseppina Vannini (1859-1911) without accusation, could disagree strengthened. Oratorian Priest but as an outstanding religious sister from Rome known for without disrespect and, perhaps most of “In the image of divine harmony which theologian, educationalist, preacher and founding the congregation of the all could see differences as places of Newman expressed so eloquently, we champion of those on the margins of Daughters of St. Camillus dedicated to encounter rather than exclusion. can see how, ultimately, as we follow society.” serving the sick and suffering. Sister “At a time when faith was being with sincerity and courage the different He went on “The reliquary shrine Dulce Lopes Pontes (1914-1992) questioned as never before, Newman, paths to which conscience calls us, all erected at St Alban’s for the Vigil of the founded the largest charitable one of the greatest theologians of the our divisions can lead to a greater Canonisation was accompanied by the organization in Brazil providing nineteenth century, applied his intellect understanding and all our ways can find singing of “The Dream of Gerontius”. It healthcare, welfare, and education to one of the most pressing questions of a common home.” was a most moving occasion.” service. Nominated twice for the Nobel our era: what should be the relationship Fr Sebastian, Moderator of the Oratory Peace Prize, she is the first Brazilian- born female saint. Pope Francis said that these three religious women saints show us that the consecrated life is “a journey of love at the existential peripheries of the world.” “Saint Marguerite Bays, on the other hand, was a seamstress; she speaks to us of the power of simple prayer, enduring patience and silent self-giving,” the pope said. “That is how the Lord made the splendour of Easter radiate in her life.” When Bays (1815-1879) was diagnosed with advanced cancer in 1853, she prayed to the Virgin Mary to be able to suffer with Jesus rather than to be healed. However, on the day that Bl. Pius IX proclaimed the Dogma of the , Sept. 8, 1854, she was miraculously healed. “On the journey of life, purification takes place along the way, a way that is often uphill since it leads to the heights,” Pope Francis said. “Faith calls for journey, a ‘going out’ from ourselves, and it can work wonders if we abandon our comforting certainties, if we leave our safe harbours and our cosy nests. Faith increases by giving, and grows by taking risks,” he said. The Prince of Wales, who attended the canonisations, reflected: “In the age when he lived, Newman stood for the Thousands of pilgrims packed St Peter's Square for the canonisations 6 CATHOLIC PEOPLE War veteran Ted inspires Catholic schoolchildren

A memorable school assembly for a D-Day 160,000 people on Twitter. veteran has earned the praise of Wales’ Hundreds of thousands more watched the Education Minister and captured the hearts series and other short clips posted online. of nearly two million people around the Ted, a former Royal Marine Commando was world. part of the allied invasion of France on June 6, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Cardiff, 1944. He landed on Sword Beach in invited 95-year-old Ted Owens to be guest of Normandy but soon became a casualty of war honour at a special assembly and pupils got when a shell exploded near him, showering the chance to listen to his memories and ask him with scorching shrapnel. him questions. He was taken back to Britain to recover but The hero’s welcome he received from the months later returned to the frontline and his pupils at the school in Canton featured on the unit played an active part in the liberation of ITV Wales news, and a video of the report has Holland. been greeted with universal approval across The three-part series had at its heart a desire the globe. to ensure children today remember the Education Minister Kirsty Williams sacrifice made by Ted’s generation. The commented on the video, praising Ted and the children visited cemeteries to honour Ted’s school for providing pupils with the opportunity fallen comrades and spoke to children in to “immerse themselves in real history.” Europe to find out how they learn about the Ted Owens, from Pembroke Dock, forged a war. friendship with St Mary’s after two of its pupils, Evan and Caoimhe Lewis, made a television A great history lesson series called Lest We Forget, which retraced Ted Owens talking to headteacher Claire Russell and pupils from St Mary’s Catholic Ted’s wartime footsteps. Ten-year-old Evan was clear this trip across Primary School The youngsters, who are also altar servers at Europe with Ted was the “greatest history St Mary of the Angels Church in the capital, lesson ever” and when the opportunity came travelled back to the Normandy beaches with up to bring Ted to meet his classmates he was Ted. They listened to his memories of the war excited. and he answered their questions. “I knew all my friends would love to get the chance to meet Ted and hear all his stories,” Ted was in D Day landings the Year 6 pupil said. “He is like a character in some of the best adventure books, but Ted is More than 1.7 million people have viewed the even better. He is a real life hero.” film of Ted’s visit to the school on the ITV His 8-year-old sister Caoimhe added: Facebook page and it has been watched by “Everyone was so excited when they found out Ted was coming to school. They all wanted to shake his hand, hear his stories and say thank you. We wrote thank you cards, made a thank you video and wrote a poem for him. He is a Ted Owens and Evan and Caoimhe Lewis in Normandy (courtesy of ITV) hero. He and many of his friends fought for our freedom.” to listen first-hand to one of the few remaining The tribute the pupils paid to Ted was so D-Day veterans is an incredible privilege. But moving that the social media clip of his visit none of us could have predicted just how has gone viral with more than 20,000 people special this day would be. These children will sharing it on Facebook alone. It has been always be able to say they met a veteran. They viewed and applauded by viewers from the have listened to a witness of one of the most USA to Australia, from Africa to Denmark. significant events in 21st Century history. Remembrance Day will be all the more Guest of honour meaningful this year at our school, thanks to Ted.” As well as earning praise from the Education Minister it also came to the attention of a modern day marine, the adventurer Bear Grylls, Community Christmas who tweeted. “Moments like this are very special. I am so proud to be part of the truly remarkable and Market at St Illtyd’s inspiring Royal Marine Commando St Illtyd’s Catholic High School are once again family and I am forever in awe and holding a “Community Christmas Market” at the admiration for the few remaining school on Thursday 28thNovember, 4.00-6.00pm. WW2 veterans like the indomitable Now in its seventh year, this popular event has Ted.” become a staple in the St Illtyd's diary and a chance Mr Owens’ visit to the school for the school to throw open its doors to the local ended with him being guest of community. honour in the school hall when he Come along for entertainment, refreshments, Santa’s joined pupils for lunch and Grotto and many stalls selling everything you need for enjoyed his first school dinner in a great Christmas shopping experience. more than 80 years. He said it was We are grateful to Dominos for once again sponsoring “delicious”. this event. All welcome. Free entry. Headteacher Claire Russell said: The school’s address is Newport Road, Rumney, “We knew Ted’s visit was going to Cardiff, CF3 1XQ. be special. Having the opportunity CATHOLIC PEOPLE 7 Vespers for the Feast of St Thomas Cantilupe

2020 marks the 700th anniversary of the canonisation of St Thomas Cantilupe, Bishop of Hereford, and one of the last English saints to be created before the Reformation. The year of celebration began on Tuesday 1st October with Vespers at Hereford Cathedral, sung by the monks of Belmont Abbey. The singing was led by the Abbot, Father Paul Stonham, and the organist was Jonathan Nicholls. A large congregation, including visitors from Norwich Cathedral, Much Wenlock, and the Herefordshire ecumenical Walsingham group, were privileged to attend the service, which ended with prayers and veneration at the shrine of St Thomas. The Dean, the Very Reverend Michael Tavinor, gave the sermon, which told the story of St Thomas and the importance of his place in both the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions. St Thomas had a varied and colourful career, including training in the law, serving as Chancellor of Oxford University, and involvement in high-level politics as Lord Chancellor of England. He became Bishop of Hereford in 1275 and was excommunicated in 1282 after a disagreement between Hereford and Canterbury. Archbishop Pecham of Canterbury delivered this adjudication as a result of conflict arising from Cantilupe defending the rights of the See of Hereford. To appeal against his sentence, Cantilupe travelled to Italy to lay his cause before the Pope, but he died near Orvieto before judgement could be pronounced, although not before he had made his peace with the Church. After the service, the Dean invited those present to venerate the relics of St Thomas, which were generously loaned to the cathedral for the celebrations. These were on the high altar and were the reliquary containing a piece of skull from Belmont Abbey; the skull of St Thomas, in the care of Downside Abbey, and a tibia from Stonyhurst College.

Right: The relics of St Thomas Cantilupe

Below: The congregation at the shrine

The Dean of Hereford, the Very Reverend Michael Tavinor

Wanted for the Missions Large Statues (Even damaged ones), old vestments, pictures, church fittings, , prayer books, religious books, relics etc. Please ring Mr. B. Ferris KSC, 102 Moor St, Earlsdon, Coventry CV5 6EY M: 07764 460041

Pupils can win prizes H. TOVEY • J. TOVEY J. CORTEN • R. DALE The Knights of St. Columba would like to mark the 100th K. FOSTER • D. O’CONNELL anniversary, in 2020, of the birth of St. John Paul II with a prayer competition open to all Catholic primary and secondary schools and Catholic post - 16 colleges within the city of Cardiff. 01633 266848 Children and young people are asked to compose a prayer to Our Lady. Newport Funeral Home, The closing date is 25th November. Hand your entries into your school or to your parish if you attend 9/11 Cardiff Road, Newport a non-Catholic school. (opposite Royal Gwent Hospital) The prizes are £50 to each winner in the following categories: 11 and under, 11-16, and 16 +. Also £50 to your school or to your www.toveybros.co.uk parish if you attend a non-Catholic school. A trusted family business serving The winning entries will be given to the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in time for the anniversary on May 18th 2020. local families and the community in Sent from my iPhone South East Wales for six generations 8 CATHOLIC PEOPLE The Year of the God Who Speaks The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has designated the year from September 2019 to December 2020 as the ‘Year of the God Who Speaks’. It began on September 30th 2019, on the feast of St. Jerome, the great scholar of the Bible and the first to translate it from the Hebrew into Latin. The year will end on December 31st 2020. Recently, the Archbishop appointed two Scripture Champions, Kate Duffin and Madeleine Walters, to promote the ‘Year of the God Who Speaks’ in the Archdiocese of Cardiff. Bishop of Menevia, now retired, appointed Fr. Jerome Ituah in the same role for Menevia. During the year, we are planning events and initiatives to celebrate, live and share God‘s Word. It will be the opportunity to enrich current practice and to develop and explore new ways of responding to ‘The God Who Speaks’. As these are planned, we will keep you informed. Archbishop George inaugurated the Year of the Word in the Archdiocese of Cardiff and the Diocese of Menevia at two events, on Saturday, October 19th _ at St. Mary’s Church, Carmarthen at 11am and at St. Helen’s Church, Caerphilly at 3pm. The launch in Archbishop George, priests and servers at the launch at St Helen’s, Caerphilly of TheYear of the God Who Speaks Caerphilly was the Sunday Mass and there Speaks. In November, Fleur Dorrell, November 18th at 7pm in the Kate Duffin at were refreshments after each pre-launch. The the Catholic Scripture Engagement Cornerstone, Charles Street, Cardiff [email protected] or plans to date for the Year of the Word were Manager on the Bishops’ Conference CF10 2SF and to the Clergy on Madeleine Walters at unveiled during each pre-launch. will be coming to Cardiff to speak Tuesday, November 19th. [email protected] Each parish will be receiving copies of the about the Year of the God Who If you have any questions and/or Fr. Jerome Ituah at Publicity Brochure for the Year of the God Who Speaks, to the Laity on Monday, any ideas for the year, please contact: [email protected] Shrine for our new Saint

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